The Sailing Capital of America

Set on the Severn River in the heart of the Chesapeake Bay, it is home to the U.S. Naval Academy, it’s the state capital of Maryland, as well as the Sailing Capital of America – it’s got more history wedged into a few compact blocks than most places multiple times its size will ever be able to claim (George Washington really did sleep here) – and it’s a boater’s paradise.

Annapolis is also home to charming, bricked streets lined with one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants. It has more 18th-century buildings than anywhere else in the U.S. The State House is the oldest in continuous legislative use in the country, the homes of three of Maryland’s four signers of the Declaration of Independence are open to the public. Because Annapolis’ historic sites are so close to one another it’s an easy destination to explore.

Boating here is a way of life, and it’s a singularly great place to visit with your vessel. There are many marina options (note: reserve ahead, especially on summer weekends), and you can even drop anchor at a mooring ball right in front of the Naval Academy, then catch a water taxi into town. No matter where you tie up you won’t be able to miss the action at Ego Alley, the locals’ name for City Dock, in the center of town, where showboating captains come to strut their stuff.

Events in Annapolis, Maryland

Things to See & Do

U.S. Naval Academy A guided tour, delivered by a professional, certified guide through the Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center of the Naval Academy, will give you an insider’s perspective. Learn fun and unusual facts about midshipmen life, like how the entire brigade of 4,500-plus is served every meal in less than 20 minutes. See where on campus two big, beautiful stained-glass windows by Tiffany are displayed. Check out an actual room where the midshipmen study and sleep. A tour gives you all this and much more.

Maryland State House, whose wooden dome serves as the focal point of Annapolis’ impressive skyline, is the oldest capitol still in continuous legislative use and is the only state house ever to have served as the nation’s capitol. While there, glimpse the Senate Chamber’s portrait gallery, which contains pictures of Maryland’s four Signers of the Declaration of Independence. Self guided tour information is available in the Office of Interpretation on the first floor.

Annapolis Maritime Museum – Learn how to harvest oysters, climb aboard a locally built workboat, or splash into one of Annapolis’ only public beaches. Artifacts as well as an 850-gallon oyster tank are displayed to give visitors an understanding of the historic maritime culture that has made Annapolis what it is today.

William Paca House – Travel back into another era at this Colonial Maryland National Historic Landmark that features a red brick Georgian Mansion once owned by signer of the Declaration of Independence, William Paca. Carefully preserved and restored by Historic Annapolis, the property also features a beautiful, 2-acre walled garden.